Brock and Frenesi

[Paul Mackin]

In trying to ponder Frenesi's motivation for going off with Brock we
shouldn't overlook a theme which has been prominent in the American
media in recent months and weeks namely the power of prosecutors to get
people to do things they might otherwise eschew. I'm referring to the plea
bargain and such.

Anther angle would be the incompleteness of Brock's possession of
Frenesi--that Frenesi represents the illusive object that no man (or
woman) can truly possess. DL at one point compares herself with Brock in
this respect. Something about resorting to surrogates or fetishes or
the like--which they both do.

I'm trying to reread the book but am still in that long chapter in the
middle.
			P.

On Sat, 5 Dec 1998 Cchoskin at aol.com wrote:

> Wondering if anyone has any thoughts about these two.  So far Frenesi's
> attraction to him is a mystery to me. We are told that she has an attraction
> to uniforms as an almost genetic predisposition and by extension men of
> authority.  However Brock is not a uniform figure.  The crux of the novel
> turns on Frenesi's attraction to Brock but a close reading reveals little of
> what the attraction might be.  Obviously sexual, but why?  Brock is shown to
> be some kind of blonde jock.  Is this enough for Frenesi to betray not only
> her friends but also her upbringing and lefty heritage? Why are we to believe
> that Brock is such a great "lover"?
> 
> How does she possibly ignore his creepiness?
> Not only that but he betrays her as soon as it suits his purposes and she is
> still in his power.
> 
> There appears to be some kind of gap here.  There is the one encounter at the
> courthouse where they meet for the first time and next we see she is sharing
> his bed and betraying her friends and her art.  Is it that the plot has to
> turn on this? 
> 
> Comments?
> Cheers
> David H
>